Cable connector



May 26, 1953 Patented May 26,1953

UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE 2,639,927 CABLE CONNECTOR Henry Robert Billeter, Highland Park, Ill.

Application August 23, 1949, Serial No. 111,872

6 Claims. l

This invention relates to cable connecters for use in joining lnon-metallic sheathed cables and armored cables to electric box nxtures, such as outlet boxes, cable boxes, junction boxes, switch boxes and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide an imu provedcable connecter having a novel means to securely clamp a cable therein and for quickly and easilyy installing and anchoring the cable connecter without` the use of tools in an outlet box or other electrical xture from the outside of thebox.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cable connecter which holds the conduit tightly and will not loosen under vibration and wherein the tight grip of the connecter assures a 'good ground connection.

` A further object of the invention is to provide an improved cable connecter whichis simple and inexpensive to manufacture, which comprises only two parts, both of which ,are simple stampings.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved cable connecter which requires no machine operations such as drilling, tapping or external threading.

' Another object of the invention is to provide a cable connecter which is neat and compact in appearance without projecting ears or screws.

Another object of the invention is to provide an `improved cable connecter adapted to accommodate a number of conduit sizes. A'further object of the invention is to provide anv improved cable connecter which may be easily removed for re-use for any other connection or for any other reason during installation.

In carrying out my invention, I preferably 'utilize in the preferred embodiment two elements, namely, a rigid connecterbody element anda hinged spring element adapted to engage the conduit and the box. The hinged gripping element is arranged so that the pressure against the conduit is opposed by the pressure against the box.`

In the preferred form of my invention, the `connecter body is provided with a'projection at its lower end to engage the interior ofthe outlet box adjacent the knock-out opening in which the connecter is `inserted and with laterally extending lugs to engage the outer surface of the voutlet box contiguous to the knock-out opening.

The hinged gripping element is mounted upon the rigid body element and so formed as to engage the interior of the outlet box adjacent .the knock-out opening when it is pressed downwardly and `inserted through the knock-outA opening for mounting the cable connecter. The opposite end of the hinged gripping element is adapted to engage the non-metallic sheathed cable or armored cable so that pressure against the conduit is opposed by pressure against the box. The arrangement of the body element and the hinged gripping element is such that increased pull on the conduit increases the gripping pressure against the conduit or cable.

In another modification of my invention, the rigid body element is similarly formed as in the preferred embodiment but the gripping element is pivotally mounted upon the body element and is resiliently formed to engage the outlet box and the cable so that increased pull on the conduit increases the pressure of the gripping member against the outlet box.

In assembling the cable connecter and cable mounted therein to an outlet box, the cable connecter is inserted at an angle to permit entrance of the lug on the cable connecter to engage the interior of the outlet box whereupon the cable connecter is tilted upwardly; and, at the same time, the hinged spring element is pressed downwardly to permit insertion of the hinged spring element within the knock-out hole, whereupon the hinged spring element is released and the cable connecter is latched in place within the knockout hole-of the outlet box securing the cable and cable connecter. Removal may only be had by releasing the hinged spring element by pressing downwardly thereon, whereupon the cable connecter may be removed by an opposite motion to that ior the -mounting of the cable connecter.

This and other advantageous objects which will later appear are accomplished by the simple and practical construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof,

4and in which:

Figure l represents a perspective View of the preferred form of the cable connecter of my invention;

Fig. 2 illustrates a top plan View, partly in section, ofthe cable connecter in an `outlet box and supportlng anlarmored cable;

F1g. 3 1s a front elevation of the cable connecter as shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, partly in section, taken along line 4 4, looking in the direct1on of the arrows, illustrating the rigid -body Aelement and the hinged spring element connecting the cable to the outlet box;

h F1g. 5 illustrates another embodiment of my invention for mounting a non-metallic sheathed cable to an outlet box; and

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the modifiedv cable connecter of my invention taken along line 6 6 of Fig. 5, looking in the direction of the arrows.

The preferred form of my invention, illustrated in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, comprises two members, namely, the connecter body I 0 and a hinged spring element II. It is preferred to form the members H) and I I from metal stampings suitably treated to prevent rusting.

The rigid body 'element I G is substantially `cylindrical in shape to receive a conventional armored cable, although the spring construction of the hinged spring element II permits the accommodation of a number of cable or conduit sizes. The rigid body element is formed to be readily inserted within a conventional knock-out .hole I2 of an outlet box I3 and the body elementis 'formed 'with a downwardly extending lug I4 adapted toengage the inner wall face of the outlet box I3, as illustrated .in Figs. 3 and d. Outwardly struck lugs I5, Figs. .l and 2, are yadapted toengage the peripheral edge of the .knock-out hole, as illustrated in Fig. 2,'so that with the lug M, the wall'of the conduit box lis adapted .to be positioned therebetween to prohibit movement of the cable connecter when it .is amxed to the outlet box.

Referring .to'lligs. '2 to e, a conventional-armored cable I6, commonly called inthe trade BX ucable, is illustrated las .mounted within the -bcdy I0 of the cable connecter and the insulated conductors Il and I8 extend through an opening `provided vby the symmetrically .positioned and formed Alugs and 2U, as illustrated in Fig. l, :formed .troni the periphe-nfal surface of the cable conn-ec- -ter lbody IB. rlhe lugs .I9 and 2B not only aprovide an opening for the conductors but also provide a bottom wall surface for supporting a .conven-tional, fiber insulatingY bushing Aor washer 2l., Fig'. 4. Theistops provided by the lugs I9 and 2B locate the inner end of the 'armored cable and the .insulating bushing 4with-in the cable-connecter and they likewise provide vpeep holes allowing in- .,spection.

ASynlmetrically formed chord-shaped .members 22 complete the inner endof the connecter body I0 .forming a front cross-bar and 1spaced there- .from and elevated thereabove -a're additional chord-shaped members A2'3 v'which provide a rear cross-bar or :a support for the hinged spring .element II.

From the above description of ythe rigid Ibody element I0 vof the cable connecter, it -is 'evident that the body element :may be .simply formed from a metal-stamping by first dormi-ng the various lugs as -describedand punching romia continuous tstrip of `metal as is well understood iin the art, after which thefstamping may be -s'hapedasi'llusftrated in Fig. l to form ltherigid body element. Furthermore, it is evident that no additional inachine operations, such as drilling, tapping forexfternal threading, are necessary to be performed on the connecter body for assembling the @cable thereto or Aassembling the connecter body to the outlet box.

`The hinged spring elementI -I -I -iszsuitably lformed I! from `a .metal stamping and the :metal :from which 'the 'hinged spring element is formed isprefei'ably of carbon .steel or other Asuitable material with enough spring that it may `-be removabl-yssnapped over alpor'tion of the body member, :for example f. fas fillustrated in Fig. 4.

#The hinged gripping element Ifl is preferably substantially J-shaped, -as illustrated in Fig. 4, with `a downwardly `extending portion 'Zchaving "a 'curved 4end d25 adapted to engage the :helical m5 groove 26 of the cable I6. Downwardly extending Wings 2l are formed on the hinged spring element, shaped as illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, and are adapted to extend downwardly through opening 28 provided between the chord-shaped members 22 and 23.

The end of the hinged spring element; I I, which is adapted yto be inserted through the knock-out opening I2 of the outlet box, is preferably shaped as 'illustrated 'in Figs. 1 to 4, having a. downturned end 29 'from which are struck symmetrically formed upturned latching lugs 30. Portions 3| are struck downwardly to permit vthe latching lugs .30 to .at all times engage the inner peripheral edge ofthe knock-out hole I2 when the cable conneoter is assembled.

It is levident that the hinged spring element I I may be 'Simply formed by a simple blanking operation 'af-ter which it may be formed into the J-shaped section, as illustrated in Fig. 4. If necessary, the yspring element I I may be suitably heat treated to reta-n ilts resiliency in order that the cable connecter lmay be easily 'removed 'for 're-use or for any other reason during installation without losing its shape, so as to provide at all time: an eiective latching means for Ithe cable connecter. The latching means or hinged spring element I'I for the cable connecter is assembled To 'the connecting body I'D o'f 'the cable connecter 'by Ainserting the chord shaped 'member 23 of the cable connecter 'in a ,passageway 3'2 provided between the curved end portion "25 of the hinged .spring element and the downturned wings *21 thereof. JThe 'spring gripping member Il is Aprovided with e'n'oug'h spring so that 'the Wings 2H `may be snapped over 'the edge of 'the members '2J to assemble the spring gripping member 1I upon the connecter vbody as shown in`Fig. 1.

Itis thus evident that 'a simple cable connecter is 'provided wherein the connecter 'bodies 'may be separately packaged, 'as well :as the hinged 'spring element, for ease "in shipment, 'after which the completed cable connec'ters 'may be assembled where they are being used 0'1' it is 'also Within the scope 'of the vinvention 'that the completed -ca'bte connecter may be assembled as a complete Unit. as illustratedn Fig. l and as described above.

Although, in the preferred embodiment, fthe cable connecter has 'been described ,for iuse Ipar- 'ti'cul'arly with the conventional armored cable, it vis 'to be understood that lit is Within 'the scope of the invention that this 'form o'i cable connecter is suitably adapted for luse with a non-metallic sheathed cable.

Referring 'to Figs. 1 'to 4, 'the improved cable connecter of my invention is'quickly and easily installed without the use of tools .from the outside of the outlet box. 'In -using .my invention, a knock-out of the outlet vbox 1I 3 is removed, leav- -ingtheknoc'k-ou't -hole I2. The cable lIB is pre- .pared'in an'conventional manner to provide the vconductors Il and I8. A conventional ber bush- -ing 2| 'is'm'o'unted on the cable 'and the cable is inserted within the cable connecter I0, as illustrate'diin Fig. 4.

The hinged spring element II may then be as'- 'sernbled 'on the connecter body 10 "as'descrlbe, 'preferably with the ycurved end :25 Jengaging "the 'helical groove l'i6 of 'the cable, as illustratedwhile '-latching'thelcable'in its assembled position lwltl'i the connecter body. vThe xopera-tor then inserts fthe .assembled cable :and connecter body -so `that ythe lug Ill is positioned Within the -out'lt box through the knock-outhole |12. Inthisaposition, :the cable connecter 'is rat 4an acute .angle with Arevspect to theoutlet box. 'Theroperator-'thenipress'e's '5 down on the front end of the hinged spring element II a suiicient amount to permit the latching lugsv 30 to be inserted within the knock-out hole I2 as the connecter body is raised upwardly to the position shown in Fig. 4. The hinged spring element is then released and thev latching lugs 30 engage the inner peripheral edge of the knock-out hole I2 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4c. The lug I4 and the latching lugs 30 prevent outward movement of the cable connecter and inward movement of the cable connecter is prevented by the lugs I5, Fig. 2.

From this construction, it is evidentthat the cable connecter is rigidly latched in position on the outlet box and at the same time the cable is held tightly and will not loosen under vibration. At the same time, it assures a good ground connection between the conduit box and the cable. Itis also obvious .that the resilient construction of the downwardly extending end 24 of the hinged I spring element II yields'enough to accommodate a number of cable or conduit sizes. Any outward pull upon the cable will not loosen the cable, and it also tends to prevent the unlatching of the latch members 30. The wings 21 and the cony struction of the downwardly extending end 24 of the lhinged spring elementalso eiectively latch the hinged spring element to the rear cross-bar formed by the members 23 of the cable connecter body.

To remove the cable connecter for assembly or re-use of the cable connecter, it is simply necessary to press downwardly on the hinged spring element I I to release the latching lugs 30, whereupon the cable connecter is moved downwardly from the position shown in Fig. 4 to a position so that the lug I4 may be withdrawn through the knock-out hole. The cable may be withdrawn readily by removing the connecter from the box with an action the reverse of that in which it was inserted in the box. Thusly, the cable connecter may be re-used many times.

In the second embodiment of my invention illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6, I have shown a cable connecter used with a non-metallic sheathed `the outlet box I3. Forwardly extending lugs 3S symmetrically formed in position are formed on the,A legs 31 of the U-shaped cable connecter.

hinged spring element I I is formed with laterally extending pintles 38 and they are adapted to be linserted Within holes 39 of the legs 31 as illustrated in Figs. 5 and 6 for hingedly mounting the hinged yspring element I I In assembling the hinged spring element, it is preferred to have the U-shaped legs 31 rst formed spread apart from the position shown in Fig. 5 in order that the pintles 38 may be assembled in the holes`39 after which the legs are crimped together, fixing `the hinged spring element in position. A front cross-bar 4|] is formed from one of the legs 131 and formed to the shape illustrated for the downturned end4l to engage the opposite leg as illustrated. The forward end of the hinged spring element II is similarly formed as the preferred embodiment, being provided with a downturned end 29 andsymmetricallyformed upturned latching lugs 30 and portions 3|. The downturned end 24 is formed as illustrated in Fig. 6 with the end thereof returned upon itself as shown to prevent cutting of the non-metallic sheathed cable.

As described above with reference to the preferred embodiment of my invention, the connecter body and the hinged spring element may be separately formed and packaged to be assembled upon the job and when so formed,.the legs 31 are spread apart suiiciently to permit assembly of the pintles 38 of the hinged spring element and the front cross-bar 4U is unlatched from the leg 31 so that the hinged spring element may be assembled, after which the front cross-bar 40 is latched in its assembled position as shown.

In assembling a non-metallic sheathed cable 42, the correct length of cable is inserted in the U-shaped body of the cable connecter as shown -in Figs. 5 and 6. The cable is latched in place by the downturned end 24 of the hinged spring element as shown in Fig. 6, crushing the cable as at 43 securely latching the cable in position. The cable connecter and assembled cable is then inserted through the knock-out opening I2 as described above with reference to the preferred form of.` cable connecter by first inserting the lug I4 within the outlet box, tilting the cable connecter at an angle and pressing down on the latch II permitting the lugs 30 to venter the opening I2 whereupon, in the position as shown in Fig. 6, the latch is then released locking the cable connecter in position as shown in Figs. 5 and G and effectively latching the cable in position.

Movement of the cable connecter inwardly or outwardly is prevented by the lugs I 4 and I5 and the latching lugs 3B. The cable connecter may also be removed for re-use or for any other reason during installation by pressing down on the hinged spring element unlatching the lugs 30 of cable connecter from the knock-out hole I2, whereupon it may be removed by tilting downwardly to a position so that the lug I4 may be removed from the knock-out hole. The cable 42 may bethen unlatched by pivoting the hinged spring element I I in a clockwise direction to then release the `member 24 from the cable.

As described with reference to the embodiment of Figs. l to 4, the hinged spring element of Figs. 5 and 6 is preferably formed of a suitable material such as carbon `steel which is inherently resilient or may be rendered resilient by suitable heat treatment if necessary. This modied cable connecter is readily adaptable as the preferred embodiment for re-use and likewise for the mounting of armored cable to an outlet box. The inherent resiliency of the member 24 also permits accommodation of a number of non-metallic sheathed cable sizes as well as armored cable sizes.

It is thus evident that there has been disclosed in the preferred embodiments of my invention a cable connecter construction which may quickly and easily be installed from the outside of the box` without the use of tools or which may easily be removed for re-use or for any other reason. In addition, the cable connecter of this invention holds the conduit or cable tightly and will not loosen under vibration and the hinged gripping element thereof is arranged so that an increased pull on the conduit or cable increases the pressure of the gripping member 4against the outlet box. Furthermore, the cable connecter of this invention has a compact appearance without projecting ears or screws.

end parallel with said chord portion, and a spring latching member removably mounted on said transverse member and having legs straddling the transverse member with a first leg extending into the body member and a second leg overlying said chord portion, said second leg having a lug at its extended end engageable With the inside face of the marginal edge of the opening in response to the cable being positioned in the body member and engaging said rst leg, said first leg being operative for retaining the cable in the connector, said second leg, when the cable is in the connecter, being normally spaced from said chord portion a distance at least as great as the length of the lug on the leg.

6. As an articlev of manufacture, a cable connecter adapted for connecting a cable to an outlet box, said cable connecter comprising a U- shaped body element adapted to receive the cable and to be inserted in a knock-out opening in the outlet box, spaced locating means for-med on the U-shaped body member adjacent one end thereof for engaging respectively the inside and outside faces of the box wall and thereby positioning the body member in the opening, a cross bar across its open side adjacent said one end, a generally U-shaped gripping element having a iirst and a second leg resiliently movable toward each other pivoted in the side portions of the body member adjacent the end opposite said one end, said rst leg extending into the body member and said second leg extending a substantial distance longitudinally of the body member, generally exteriorly thereof, and having a lug on its extended end for engaging the inside face of the marginal edge of the opening, said second leg overlying said cross bar and being normally spaced therefrom, when the cable is in the body member, a distance at least as great as the length of the lug on the leg, said cross bar constituting stop means for limiting movement of the second leg toward the rst leg.

HENRY ROBERT BILLETER.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,130,536 Chaffee Sept. 20, 1938 2,430,809 Flora Nov. 11, 1947 2,457,235 Hoehn Dec. 28, 1948 2,458,409 Paige Jan. 4, 1949 2,466,504 Stoyer Apr. 5, 1949 

